Va. Health Commissioner resigns

Karen Remley announced her resignation as Virginia's Health Commissioner in an email to staff on Thursday. She cited the row over new abortion facility regulations as the reason for her decision.

"Today's message is very hard to write, as I am sharing with you a difficult and important decision I have made. As you know, over the past year VDH [Virginia Department of Health] has been developing and implementing regulations of all abortion facilities in Virginia. I have worked to guarantee the process of survey and licensure would be fairly and thoughtfully applied across the Commonwealth. As of today, all twenty abortion facilities that are eligible for licensing have been inspected, where necessary, plans of correction were received and approved, and within the next few days all will be fully licensed for the coming year," she wrote to staff members.

She continued by saying that the development and enforcement of the regulations had created an environment in which her ability to fulfill her duties was compromised. "In good faith I can no longer serve in my role," she added.

Her decision follows the September reversal of the Board of Health's June vote to grandfather in existing clinics. In June, the Board voted to amend the proposed regulations to exempt existing clinics from new burdensome architectural regulations; in September, it abandoned the amendment under pressure from Attorney Gen. Kenneth Cuccinelli.

"I'm just devastated," said James H. "Jim" Edmondson, a consumer representative on the Board for the past eight years. Edmondson supported the amendment and voted against the proposed regulations in September. "Forget the abortion regulations," he said. "The commonwealth can't afford to lose people like her. She's an outstanding health administrator." He characterized Remley's resignation as "awful" and a victory for extremists.

Erin Zabel, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia, which has a clinic in Virginia Beach, echoed Edmondson's sentiments. "This is what happens when you politicize women's health care. I'm shocked and saddened. She has been a tireless advocate for public health and safety."